DNA Metabolism Flashcards
(115 cards)
What did the Meselson Stahl Experiement prove?
The semiconservative model of DNA replication
- The first division ruled out conservative because all DNA was of intermediate density
- The second division ruled out dispersive model because DNA was either of intermediate or light density
What is DNA polymerase?
Synthesize a complementary DNA strand in the 5’ to 3’ direction
It reads a DNA in the 3’ to 5’
DNA-dependent DNA polymerase
What is the leading strand in a replication fork?
The strand synthesized in the same direction as fork movement in the 5’ to 3’ direction
What is the Lagging strand in the replication fork?
The strand synthesized in the 5’ to 3’ in the opposite direction as fork movement
What are some characteristics of the lagging strand?
Can’t be synthesized continuously
Synthesized as small fragments called Okazaki fragments which are later ligated
What are Okazaki fragments?
Small fragments of newly synthesized DNA in the lagging strand of a replication fork
DNA synthesis is semi-continuous, what does this mean?
Leading strand synthesis is continuous
Lagging strand synthesis is discountinuous
Where are the only spots that replication can begin?
At the “origins of replication”
From every origin of replication, how many replication forks are formed?
Two replication forks begin, migrating in opposite directions
What doe DNA polymerase require in order to start DNA synthesis?
Require an existing 3’-OH to add nucleotides to provided by a primer
When two replication forks open, where are the leading strands?
One strand will be the leading strand for one fork but the lagging strand for the other fork
(Leading strands are on opposite sides replicating away from each other)
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34
E.g 1 and 4, 2 and 3 if 1,3 is a replication fork and vice versa
What reaction causes DNA chain elongation?
Transesterification
An irreversible reaction due to how much energy was used. Hydrolysis contributes to the energétics
What substrate adds the base to the elongating DNA chain?
Deoxynucleotidetriphosphates (dNTPS)
What is the reaction mechanism on dNTP for DNA chain elongation? (Simple)
Nucleophilic attack by 3’ -OH of primer on first phosphate (alpha) of the incoming dNTP
The 2nd and 3rd phosphates (beta and gamma) are release as inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi)
What is processivity?
The ability of an enzyme to catalyze multiple reaction without releasing its substrate
What is an example of a processivity enzyme?
DNA polymerase
-This process is faster than distributive enzymes
What are distributive enzymes?
Enzymes that disassociate from substrate and product after catalyzing their reaction
DNA polymerase have varying processivity, Which are high and low?
DNA polymerase III has high processivity
DNA polymerase I has low processivity
What are sliding clamps (associated with polymerase)
Highly processive DNA polymerase use sliding clamps to remain associated with their templates
Loading of sliding clamps require ATP hydrolysis
How often do DNA polymerase make mistake?
Every 10k to 100k bp
How are the mistakes of DNA polymerase removed?
Proofreading
(Separate activity from DNA polymerase)
A 3’-5’ exonuclease activity
What are the 2 mechanisms to detect incorrect nucleotides?
- Mispairing results in weaker H-bonding and brings new strands to exonuclease site of polymerase
- Mispairing inhibits translocation of DNA through polymerase. The pause allows the new strand to enter the exonuclease site
(Shifts backwards a little bit)
By how much does proofreading improve DNA synthesis?
Improves fidelity of replication by 100-1000 fold
How many origins do bacteria have?
One replication origin: oriC
This site is highly conserved across bacteria species